Mama

There are a number of similar names for this small, but mighty, establishment floating around on…read morethe internet: Ninth Avenue International Foods, Ninth Avenue International Market, International Grocery & International Food, Ninth Avenue International Grocery, or just what's written on the sign: International Grocery. Whatever the actual name, it seems that this Mediterranean specialty store has been open since 1947, run first by the Smitsis Family, and then the Karamouzis (including brothers Sotiris, Dinos, and Panayiotis). The Karamouzis moved it a few doors north to its present location in 1983. The neighborhood around the store has evolved a great deal over the years, but inside, old world charm persists. Everywhere you look there are bulk bins, barrels, and sacks brimming with: - Spices: all the staples needed for Mediterranean, Indian and North African cuisines, including za'atar, dried tamarind, cloves, allspice, rock salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, red pepper, black mustard seed, etc... - Dried fruits: pineapple, apricots, raisins, figs, diced orange peel, dates, etc... - Dried nuts: cashews, macadamias, almonds in every form, walnuts, pistachios, etc.. - Grains, beans, lentils, and flours - Coffee I love that International Grocery has stuck with bins and barrels for all these years. Bulk bins were the norm when the store first opened and are so much more environmentally friendly than the ubiquitous single use plastic packaging we see nowadays. Environmentally conscious folks are increasingly coming around to appreciate bulk bins and I wouldn't be surprised if they became the hot "new" trend in coming years. If you stick with something for long enough, it comes back into fashion, right? The wonders don't end with all those glorious bins, however. Far from it. Improbably, all of the following (and more) also neatly fit into a store the size of a suburbanite's two-car garage: - Olives -- about 10-15 kinds by my last count, but I've seen even more varieties at times. I love my crisp, green Castelvetranos and black Kalamatas; the Progeny loves her pimento-stuffed Manzanillas. - Antipasti (mushrooms, artichokes, giardiniera, gigantes plaki) and preserved lemon peel - Feta (Bulgarian, Greek) and other cheeses - Tzatziki and other spreads - A variety of fresh and packaged pastries (baklava, kourabiedes, koulourakia) and halvas - Olive oils, pomegranate molasses, carob molasses - Pita breads and pasta - Rose water - Amardeen (an apricot leather used to make a Syrian drink of the same name) Prices are quite fair and the owners + staff are kind, generous, gentle and gracious. When my 10-year old privately expressed interest in the orange peel to me, one of the owners overheard and offered her some to try. They didn't look at all askance when she delightedly opened various bins to sniff the beautiful aromas within. (I did teach her to waft the smells to her nose by hand a la chemistry lab, instead of sticking her head into each bin.) As much as I detest the areas around Port Authority -- it's one of the dirtiest, smelliest parts of NYC -- I do go out of my way for International Grocery and will for as long as we're both around.

Absolutely love this place! First found it when looking for some spices I'd never heard of before…read morefor a Palestinian dessert. International Grocery had these and many other spices, grains, nuts, flours, everything you can think of, from multiple cuisines from many cultures around the Mediterranean. They also have fresh halvah, and delicious spanakopita, freshly made! I got into the habit of buying several generous servings-- one for now, several for my freezer. What a great find!

0.4 mi•Kips Bay, Flatiron

Turn the corner, look up, and enjoy your life...

Flour and beans

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Spices!

Kalustyan's

4.4(580 reviews)

Everything you can think of as well as many others I had no idea what they are. Best selection…read moreof dried spices, herbs, beans and rices I've ever seen. They also have some fresh items such as yogurts and cheeses, but in limited amounts.

OKalustyan's I'm very familiar with Kalustyan''s Spice Shop…read more They have it all! I used to use spices on my food. I can't tolerate most spices after stomach surgery. Recently I am introducing more and more because I love the taste. No doubt I eat a lot of TUMs but it's worth it some days. In the past I've had the Marhaba Mayan Tropical Sea Salt purchased here. I'm very fortunate to have a Yelp gift of the same Sea Salt without making a trip to the store. Here is the quote from the package. I recommend you visit the location for everything spicy your heart desires. I'll stick with sea salt for now. TROPICAL SEA SALT "This sea salt was harvested off the coast of Guatemala salt ponds, created along the mangrove forests, where Mayan began harvesting salt since as early as 1000 BC. Nurtured by mineral-rich volcanic soil and the tropical waters this salt lend it a mild minerality and higher moisture content, making it an ideal finishing salt, enhanced with the taste of the tropics. Adds flavor to both sweet & savory foods, such as seafood & grilled meat," It's definitely good!

Spices

Rose Petal 8 oz. Kalustyan's Lebne (Mid-Eastern Style Heavy Yogurt)

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Kalustyan's shop entrance is at 123 Lexington Avenue

Hashi Market

4.5(18 reviews)

1.0 mi•Greenwich Village

Spacious and clean Japanese market with a wide selection of premade food, snacks, groceries, frozen…read morefood to choose from and indoor seating to eat at. There is also a soft serve ice cream station upon entry serving vanilla and matcha. Cashiers are friendly and will offer you 10% discount with NYU ID. It's a great place to stop off for lunch.

** This review is specifically for the Fujiissa Cafe stand inside Hashi Market. **…read more During our mid-afternoon break, my friend and I walked over to Hashi Market to see if there were any snacks we can grab to munch on. Their fridge was stocked with different to-go sushi options and pre-made rice bowls. Sadly, I wasn't hungry enough for a whole meal, but I did notice the matcha stand right at the entrance. I told my friend I would just "take a look," but somehow ended up walking out with a drink. MATCHA COCO - 8.80 I watched the barista dump in slabs of ice cubes, maybe 3/4 of a bottle of Vita Coco coconut water, and pre-made matcha foam from a plastic container. I was completely flabbergasted at the price of the drink for such a basic preparation, and I prepared myself to hate it. Despite being incredibly overpriced, I couldn't deny how refreshing it was. The coconut water wasn't too sweet, and its smooth, light flavor paired well with the airy matcha foam. I didn't hate it. I wanted to, but I couldn't. At this price point, I can't say I'd go out of my way for the Matcha Coco despite how delicious it was. If I ever come back to this Hashi Market location, I'll probably spend my money on the prepared foods instead.

Inside

Matcha Frozen Wafer Sandwich

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Inside

Tashkent Supermarket

4.2(91 reviews)

1.2 mi•Greenwich Village

Great good, great prices & great service. Every single I've had there has been fresh, delicious &…read moreaffordable.

It is a highly recommended Uzbek foods grocery place! In NY!…read more I was impressed by the highest quality plov, Somsa and manti kinds cocked out of native Uzbekistan. They do it really great! Juicy and yummy! Once you checkout your picks you may enjoy it at your place or University park near by. Once you miss a real Uzbek foods, Go immediately to this grossery place! There are five of them in NY.

0.0 mi•Koreatown, Midtown West

Picture of the supermarket

Buffet section- Tashkent/Veal Tongue Salad. Favorite of the cold options

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Buffet section- (Obligatory) Potatoes With Mushrooms. A bit oily but very tasty.

Hashi Market

4.0(50 reviews)

came after a mahjong game night for their midnight sushi discount. we got there shortly after 10pm…read more+ while most of the selection was gone, there were still some desirable choices left. since this was my first time here, idk what their normal variety is. still some premium boxes like nigiri, sashimi and mostly sushi rolls, bentos, and onigiri. I think in the mix of things, they did overcharge me/didn't apply the discount to one or more of my items, so pay attention when you're checking out. handroll, pay attention to what you're grabbing. it gets mixed up + beware it's difficult to open.

Hashi Market was a nice find to pickup some ongiris in the morning - they had just opened up, and…read morewe purchased Smoked Salmon, Tuna Salad, and Unagi. The onigiris themselves were warm and tasty, but some of the rice seemed turned... T____T The grocery store itself is bright, clean, and well-organized; they had a large selection, and even prepared foods to-go. Staff are very friendly! +be care of turned rice! +friendly staff

Chilled drinks

Aisles

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Fujiisa Store in Hashi Market

Sunshine Mart

4.5(2 reviews)

1.3 mi•East Village

I got the iced latte. For five dollars, could've gone to starbies but it's ok. I suggest going for…read morematcha. Although I haven't had it here I think it could be good. This may sounds controversial, but my sister who LOVES sugar threw out Ramune because it was so sweet. No blame to the mart though, al the drinks and food are super reasonably priced. Some cute home goods upstairs. Might come back to get a soy sauce container.

Nice Japanese grocery store with a wide selection of snacks, seafood, veggies, soda, kitchand…read morecosmetic products.

Iced Latte

Halloween style pocky

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Seafood

Yamadaya

4.8(8 reviews)

0.3 mi•Flatiron

Accidentally discovered this grocery store. It has good selection of product. The staff are very…read morefriendly

Pleasantly surprised by the quality of their readymade Chicken Katsu Curry take out meal,…read moreespecially for the price! The chicken and breading was great, the rice was high quality, and the curry was super flavorful and came with potatoes and carrots inside. Lots of variety of drinks too, I got a Mandarin Orange Calpico and it was fire!

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Little India Market

3.6(45 reviews)

0.5 mi•Kips Bay

Great selection of Indian goods in Manhattan. I usually go…read moreback to Jackson heights to pick up goods but after finding this place, I'll definitely be visiting this spot more

Little India Market is a refreshing change from the stores on Lexington Avenue. The aisles are…read morewider, there is a larger assortment of products (where else can you find long-grain wheat mamra?!) and it is just a better shopping experience. Do not expect bargain-basement prices here. You are paying for the convenience. But I only wish all products had prices marked. Some reviewers complained about buying expired products. I have not had that experience. On a related note, I would not buy prepared foods or "fresh" produce from grocery stores that are not turning their inventory quickly. All said, I think the convenience x price x assortment works for me. YMMV.

Outside

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East Village Meat Market

4.6(131 reviews)

1.3 mi•East Village

If you enjoy Eastern European & Polish meats, especially kielbasa, than this meat market in the…read moreEast Village is a great place to pick up some to bring home and grill up with some sauerkraut on the side. A meat market in the old world way, J. Baczynsky is a throwback to when this neighborhood was populated by Polish and Ukrainian communities. Along with a variety of meats they also offer blintzes, pierogis, potato pancakes, and more. Yummy yum yum!

Everything is delicious, but I especially like the cold cuts that they make. They have a very…read moreshort life, so they should be eaten the day they are purchased which adds to the pleasure. Dash home and break out the meats with a hunk of good bread (bought from the shop, of course), pour a glass of wine and you are in for a wonderful meal. The men behind the counters are wonderful, too. Polite and professional.

0.9 mi•Midtown West, Theater District, Hell's Kitchen

Front window at the East Village Meat Market.

Exterior

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Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Gurumé

4.7(405 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Large group friendly

Went back to Gurume, this time later at night after seeing a show so the restaurant was less…read morecrowded but still lively. Had the Soy Garlic Chicken Wings and the Mushroom Harvest Bowl - both were great and what we come back for. Terrific staff, warm welcome from the host and our server Mario was friendly and helpful. Great also to catch up with Arianna who we know from past visits.

This restuarnt specializes in Korean small bites. During my trip to NYC they may have orchestrated…read moresome of the best dishes during the whole trip. The environment is very laid back, with dim lighting. The servers were very attentive, and the chef would bring it the dishes and explain them to you each time. The food here that we had was absolutely fenominal. We started with their house made truffle potatoe chips. Nicely flavored, just perfect amount of saltiness with a great crisp. The star of the show was the oyster mushroom tacos. By far the best single bite or dish of food. The flavor profile is so robust, with different textures, it was a true delight. I highly recommend their black sesame bread pooding as well. The bread pooding was so gooey, and crispy and melted, it was the perfect balance of sweetness, and paired amazingly with the cold ice cream. Highly recommend if you are interested in a true fine dinning experience.

Berkshire Kimchi Fried Rice - tender berkshire pork, caramelized kimchi, crunchy quinoa

Pork and Radish "Bossam" - braised pork belly, pickled radish noodles, dwenjang creme

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Truffle Dduk & Cheese - brown butter korean rice cake, six cheese sauce, crunchy quinoa, garlic crostini

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Christine A.

778

8 years ago

Purely for the Taiyaki-- this place is great!! The inside is soft and chewy, like a mochi, which is different and far superior from the Taiyaki at Taiyaki (the aesthetic place with the ice cream in the fish). This is real Taiyaki and both the red bean and cream cheese types are delicious. Warm, not overly sweet, and satisfying. read more

Josephine C.

162

11 years ago

Worst service ever worst service ever worst service ever Worst service ever worst service ever worst service everWorst service ever worst service ever worst service everWorst service ever worst service ever worst service everWorst service ever worst service ever worst service ever read more

Mama - korean - Updated September 2026

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Bunn

3.5

(174 reviews)

it's the first stall in the food court, so you can see the giant steamer from outside window. O…read moregot kimchi and pork bun. $10.62for two. It's expensive for what it is, but ita midtown manhattan, so understandable. Just skip the kimchi, very forgettable, not a lot of filling. Pork one is better, very mild spicy.

Delicious but very pricey taiyaki. I enjoy the many options, like all the matcha variations though…read more Since the shop is located right at the entrance of the food court though, it's very crowded. I also ordered the walnut cakes but they got my order wrong, so I'm not exactly sure if their service is that good.

Manna House Bakery 丽心饼屋

4.1

(85 reviews)

Had the best egg tart here - flaky crust with smooth custard that wasn't too sweet. It was the…read moreclassic Cantonese style egg tart, not the Portuguese kind. Service was quick and friendly.

I grew up eating buns and cakes from Manna House bakery since school used to be in the area and my…read moremom also enjoyed their buns, particularly their pineapple buns. I don't usually come to the city often now but occasionally when I do, I'd make a stop here for a bun or two and a drink. Prices aside, I think everything here is just mediocre now. Drinks as well- feels like drinking water with a slight tea flavor.

M & W Bakery

3.9

(27 reviews)

They are selling spoiled, moldy bread, which is absolutely outrageous. Buyers must beware.read more

This is a great go to Chinese bakery spot. They have everything and there's normally people which…read moreis a good sign. The fried dumplings, red bean sesame bun and the walnut cookie was very good However, the steamed sticky rice was not good, so I would recommend going somewhere else for that. Cash only

Muji Market

3.6

(22 reviews)

Inside Muji located in the historic Chelsea Market is Muji Food Market. There is an entrance right…read moreon Ninth Avenue or you can enter through Chelsea Market. I've always enjoyed walking around Muji stores and looking around the store, but this is the first time I visited Muji Food Market. Muji Food Market features a unique selection of food and drinks. The menu includes Japanese comfort foods such as onigiri (rice balls), miso soup, sandwiches, handcrafted specialty beverages, and more. There is a self-ordering kiosk or you can order with the cashier. Since the self-ordering kiosk was busy, I went to the cashier and ordered an Iced Matcha Strawberry Latte ($10.00) and Shrimp Tempura Onigiri ($7.95). After I ordered, I was given a number and waited in the area. There are a few countertop seats and an island where you can stand and eat. It took only a few minutes for my order to be ready. I took my order to go, but some people were eating there. The staff were very friendly. The Shrimp Tempura Onigiri was wrapped with nori and finished with a sweet-savory sauce. I really enjoyed the combination of crispy shrimp, flavorful sauce, and seasoned rice. I wish there was more of the fried shrimp tempura. Sometimes with onigiri's, the rice can be bland but this was very tasty. The Iced Matcha Strawberry Latte was also very good and was a great balance of vibrant green tea and fruity sweetness. I would definitely come back to Muji Food Market to try some of their other items.

Was walking around Chelsea Market on a Saturday afternoon. It was crowded with tourists. I was in a…read moredesperate need for a pick me up snack and a matcha latte sounded perfect. I've also been wanting to check out Muji Café since it's the only one in the US (? Or first at least). The whole Muji was smaller than I expected. The café part was also smaller than expected too, but good thing is that it's quite empty. There was only one customer there. With bench seating, bench standing, and a bar table, it could fit 15-20 people. They have two kiosks you can order from - my favorite. I won't say that the food was exceptionally good or cheap but it was exactly what I needed for a pick me up. I ordered: matcha latte, yuzu salmon onigiri, sweet potato dorayaki. Matcha latte had nice color on top and they bothered to do latte art despite providing the drink with a lid on already. Taste was normal basic as what I would expect from a generic café. 50% sweetness was mild enough for me. Yuzu salmon onigiri was the star of the show. I like how they prepare it fresh, so it took the longest to come out and was piping hot when it did. Yuzu was mostly a dollop of savory "jam" at the top. I can't really tell if they added yuzu to the salmon marinade too. I appreciate how the salmon inside was given in small fillets rather than mashed. It was juicy and tender and flavorful, not too salty not too sweet. Loved the rice texture for being chewy and fluffy. I immediately felt energized after eating it. Sweet potato dorayaki was yummy too, but it was a contrast from the cozy onigiri. Forgot if the menu stated this was prepared fresh or not, but I didn't notice they had it prepackaged on the counter already. I might've not ordered it if I realized earlier. However I still enjoyed it. The pancakes were fluffy while also tasting rich from the unmelted butter layer without feeling heavy. The sweet potato was sweet but didn't feel artificial. It also came with a layer of red bean paste which was a pleasant surprise too. Having so many elements in the dorayaki wasn't messy or overwhelming. I only wish it was warm too.

Lucky King Bakery

3.7

(121 reviews)

My secret post-Vietnamese sesame ball spot. Now it's on Yelp so less of a secret. Darkish inside…read more Lots of regulars lingering over their milk tea in paper cups. The sesame balls are 5 star.

I bought is on 7/19 around 6 pm. Brought it home and refrigerated. Made it halfway through one…read moreslice to find mold in the middle. This cake plus one sponge cake was $5.75 so wasn't cheap. Won't be coming back.

Delicious Bakery

4.0

(50 reviews)

I was in the area hoping to try a rice roll cart but they were sold out by the time I got there…read more Was headed to central park and happened to walk by here. $2.75 rice rolls advertised in the window so I figured how could I go wrong. I never had rice roll before but it was good and a fun eat. Simple food and pretty plain flavor honestly, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! I enjoyed it and it was a nice meal to start the day without overdoing it. I'd love to try some of the other flavors. The shrimp was good. Could have used more shrimp but again... $2.75 haha. I would like to try more of their bakery items as well. Looked good.

Happened to pop into Delicious Bakery recently, and left quite satisfied. I can't believe how…read morethey've been able to keep their prices so low - mad respect for doing whatever it takes to not raise rates. The rice rolls I got were $2 each, and were made fresh on the spot. Nice springy texture, and paired nicely with soy sauce at the table. Two crates could probably feed the average person, and one crate makes a nice fulfilling snack. I was a bit sad when Sun Hing Lung Co closed, as that was my go-to rice roll spot. Happy to have found Delicious Bakery, as I am adding this to my rotation of a quick snack or meal on the cheap when I'm in the Chinatown area.

K Minamoto

4.6

(18 reviews)

Read about a tasting of teas and wagashi on 1/31 only. Located on 5th ave, next block to…read moreRockefeller Center. Was told they've been open for about 2 years. Friendly, welcoming and professional staff. Was directed to the samples table - tasted green and black teas; and bites of 2 japanese sweets: sakuragoromo (crepe with red bean paste and cherry blossom leaf), and chocolate mikasa (chocolate pancake with choc cream). Their products are beautifully displayed and packaged. Samples on display so can see what items are like. Prices vary. Sold in sets (would be good as gifts) and individual packs (for tasting; good for me bec. I would like to try different ones). Bought a choc mikasa $5 and kingyo $6.60 (white grape jelly; was just ok). It was also the last day for the winning confectionary art which will be returned to Japan the next day. Joined their rewards so can earn points towards $ off.

K. Minamoto specializes in Japanese wagashi (sweets made with mochi, bean paste, fruit, etc.) all…read moreindividually wrapped in small packages. For my first introduction to wagashi, I visited their store when they were offering samples with tea tasting. Chocolate Dorayaki (chocolate ganache cream filling sandwiched between chocolate pancake) paired with roasted tea and Sakuragoromo (sweet red bean paste, Mochi rice cake and edible cherry blossom leaf covered with Japanese style crepe) paired with green tea. Each one cost $5-6.50ish. They have huge display cases with tons of varieties, but since I'm new to wagashi I would have also loved to see the treats displayed instead of relying on photos with descriptions. Their team is professionally dressed in branded uniforms and graciously ready to assist. I definitely need to dive deeper into this delicious world of Japanese delights. Looking at their menu I would love to try tosenka (whole rich white peach covered with juicy jelly, 1 piece $29), kurogoma daifuku (Black sesame paste wrapped with rice cake and black sesame seeds, $$4.70 1 piece), white peach mochi (19.80, 8 pieces) and many of their cakes!! Check out their online store if you cannot make it in person.

Happy Star Bakery Corp

3.6

(68 reviews)

I prefer these smaller and off the busy street bakeries. It's a grab and go type of shop without…read moretables/chairs. It's busy here doing the morning rush when people are grabbing breakfast and catching the train. The prices here are cheaper than other more popular bakeries. I do like their cocktail bun. I think it was $1.5. They have a ton of options and wrapped ready for you to grab, pay and go. The coffees and teas are just okay. Next door sells dim sum and rice noodles. I think it's the same owner.

Inexpensive but tasty breakfast and different treats from confectionery to practical. $20 can get…read moreyou a small feast. I was only slightly inconvenienced by having to walk out and into another entrance to get my coffee. Though I only planned on getting breakfast when getting the coffee I found sweet treats for the road! Everything's at a wonderful price point especially for NYC. I felt nostalgic!

M & W Bakery

3.9

(31 reviews)

I love the Bayard location of M&W Bakery for buns, but decided to give the East Broadway location a…read morechance. The pork floss sponge cake rolls were absolutely scrumptious! I love pork floss, and I love sponge cake rolls. The two combined, with flecks of scallion, was a hit. Although prices rose after the egg shortage, 10 pieces for $5.50 felt reasonable. I'll be back to try other items in the future. There is very limited seating inside. They do brisk and efficient business.

$1.75 for a delicious pork bun is a good deal. Make sure to speak slowly and clearly since the…read morepeople who work here aren't fluent in English.

Harajuku Sushi and Crepe

4.9

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